Stiles had been told about storms at sea. They had the potential to be very violent, but Stiles never understood just how fearsome a seafaring storm could be. That is—until he experienced it himself. It was the second week at sea when the storm hit the Kitsune.

The day had been gloomy and the entire crew seemed on edge. Stiles was reading topside, letting the wind ruffle his hair. But soon the gusts picked up and the pages of his book insisted on turning before he was ready. A frown decorating his face, he closed his book and looked around. The sailors were all doing various things—tightening the ropes, checking that things were secure, and glaring at the skyline.

"Dinner will be served early," Takahiro said as he walked up to where Stiles was sitting. Startled, Stiles jumped slightly. Takahiro gave him a curious look.

Stiles shook his head, "You gave me a fright. You said dinner is early tonight? For what reason?"

Takahiro's brow furrowed and his lips tightened in to a displeased frown. He looked away from Stiles to gaze out over the sea. His dark eyes seemed to lose some of their light and for once he looked aged.

"We're sailing in to cursed waters. There's likely to be a storm tonight," Takahiro turned his harsh gaze on Stiles, "I would recommend you stay in your quarters tonight, Ouji-sama."

"Cursed waters?" Stiles asked.

The Japanese boy sighed, a harsh exhale through his nose. He moved to stand against the railing. The water was dark and menacing below.

"This area is known as the Umi no Shi. It literally means Death Sea. No one is exactly sure when, but a curse was put on these waters. Many ships sail through here never to be seen again."

"Then why would we sail through here if it's so dangerous?"

"It's faster to go through than around," Takahiro chuckled slightly. He turned, leaning against the rail. His mouth curled up in to a sly grin and his obsidian eyes sparkled mischievously, "The weather is always fierce here with the biggest storms that the sea has ever known. But that isn't even the most dangerous part."

"You mean the curse?"

"Hai, here there be bakemono."

Stiles' eyes widened.

Monsters.

"What do you mean monsters?" Stiles felt his stomach tighten and his throat constrict. He curled his hands in to nervous fists.

"Creatures only thought of in legends," Takahiro gestured with his hand to the sea, "There are serpents out there that could swallow our ship in one gulp. There could be one swimming under us right now—its segmented body moving effortlessly through the deep ocean currents. There are some that have only ever been heard of and never seen. They are things that dwell in the darkness, far from human eyes. But those aren't the dangerous ones."

Stiles frowned once more, "There's something even more dangerous than giant sea serpents?"

"Oh yes," Takahiro nodded concisely, "The sirens."

"Sirens?"

"Sirens are the most dangerous of all sea creatures. Not the sharks, not the poisonous fish, but the sirens."

"What exactly is a siren?"

"No one knows where they came from. Stories say that they were created from a forbidden love. Other stories say that they were borne of the sea itself. Sirens are shapeshifters—they take the form that is most lovely to their prey. They sing songs that cause sailors to fall in love. Blinded by lust and passion, the sailors throw themselves from their ships and swim to the sirens. But they're crushed by rocks that surround the siren's perches."

"That's—" Stiles' mouth had gone dry. He swallowed thickly, "How awful. Is there no way to stop the enchantment?"

Takahiro shook his head, "Even we aren't immune to their song. The crew has to tie themselves to lay lines along the ship. The ropes aren't long enough to reach the water below but we can still move about the deck."

"Will I be safe in my quarters?"

"You should be. I don't think their song could get all the way there. But just to be safe, please keep your door shut and locked. You'll be too blinded by lust to be able to operate the lock if you do happen to hear the song. Even if you do hear their song, I think that the enchantment only takes if you see the actual siren. Part of their charm is visual."

Stiles let a shaky breath out, "All right."

"If you wish," Takahiro raised a suggestive eyebrow at him, "I could tie you up so that you won't be able to escape."

At the husky tone of his voice, Stiles felt a blush rise to his cheeks.

"Th-That will not be necessary! I'll be off now," the prince stuttered as he walked past Takahiro.

"Ouji-sama!" Takahiro called after him, "Do not forget about dinner!"

Stiles gave him a dismissive wave. Takahiro watched him walk away. His lips turned up at the pink shade of the royal's ears. An amused chuckle escaped his lips and he turned to continue his work.

The storm hit just after dark had fallen. Great waves crashed against the sides of the ship, throwing it this way and that. The wood groaned and complained at the attacks against it. A crack of lightning and the following boom of thunder caused Stiles to look up. The lantern on his ceiling was swinging wildly and distorted shadows were cast along the walls.

The Kitsune wouldn't sink. Stiles was at least sure of that. However, it seemed like an impossible hope at the moment. He could hear the shouts of crewmen above him and the hurried footfalls of men. Stiles looked down at the book in front of him. He had been trying to read, but he couldn't focus on it now. Just as he closed the book, there was a loud knocking on the door.

"Who is it?" Stiles called, standing from his chair.

"It's me, Ouji-sama," Takahiro's voice came from the other side. Stiles moved to the door and undid the locks. He opened it and blinked. Takahiro was drenched from the rain, his hair straightened and dripping on to the floor.

"Sounds pretty terrible out there," Stiles commented. His eyes trailed down and took in Takahiro. The man's entire body was soaked. His thin tunic was now see through and Stiles could make out the lines and sculpt of his muscles. Stiles' fingers twitched as if he wanted to touch them, trace the distinctive muscles one at a time until he had every single one memorized.

The sound of Takahiro's voice broke Stiles from the trance he had been in.

"We've all been through worse," Takahiro said with a bright smile. Heat made its home on Stiles' cheeks and he swallowed.

"Did you need something?" Stiles asked.

Takahiro shook his head, "I was checking to make sure you were all right—also the locks."

"Oh," Stiles nodded, "I'm fine."

"You aren't feeling sick?"

"No,"

"Hungry?"

"No," Stiles frowned, "I'm all right."

"You aren't scared?"

Stiles thought for a moment. He shrugged slightly, "Only a little—simply because I'm out of my element."

"You don't need to be afraid," Takahiro leaned forward, placing his forearm against the doorframe. Takahiro was slightly taller than Stiles and it forced the prince to look up.

"Takahiro?"

His eyes shone with a dark fire and it sent a shiver down Stiles' spine, "I'll be sure to protect you,"

Drops fell from Takahiro's hair on to Stiles' skin. They left trails of cold along his feverish skin. Stiles swallowed and tried to regulate his breathing again. He hadn't noticed they were drifting closer together until Takahiro's hair was brushing against his forehead. His lips parted slightly and still Takahiro moved closer. Takahiro's breath was sweet against Stiles' face. But just before the supple organs met, Stiles snapped out of whatever trance he had been in.

He turned his head sharply away from Takahiro.

"I thank you for taking such good care of me. I should be turning in to bed now. Shouldn't you be returning to the crew?" He asked, allowing a steely edge to his voice. But despite his strong tone, he felt a weakness in his heart. What was happening?

Takahiro blinked and also seemed to realize what he was doing. He removed his arm from the doorframe and ran it through his wet hair.

"Yes, I'll just—I'll be going. Remember to lock your door."

"Because of the sirens,"

Takahiro nodded, "The sirens, yes," He put his hands back at his sides and turned to walk down the hallway. He paused and looked back at Stiles, but then shook his head.

"Sleep well, Ouji-sama," he said before turning the corner and ascending the stairs.

Stiles waited a moment before moving back in to his room and closing the door. He turned the deadbolt and slid the chain in to place. His hand was shaking and his body felt hot. When he reached his bed, his knees couldn't hold up his weight any longer and he collapsed against it. The straw mattress sank under his weight and he fell backwards. His eyes scanned the ceiling and watched the shadows dance across the wood.

He listened as his heart slowed back to a normal pace. He pulled his legs up on to the bed and clutched his pillow to his chest. It wasn't the storm and rocking of the ship that was making him nauseas. It was something else entirely. But Stiles wasn't exactly sure what that was. He buried his face against the pillow and tried to block out the sounds of the tempest outside.

"Stiles," whispered a voice, "Stiles."

This roused Stiles from his slumber. The storm was still raging outside and his lamp had long since run out of oil.

"Takahiro?" Stiles mumbled drowsily, "Is that you?"

"Stiles," came the voice again. There was something about it that was familiar and made Stiles' heart leap.

Stiles felt his throat tighten, "Derek?"

"Stiles help me," Derek said from the other side of the door.

"Derek, what's wrong?" Stiles jumped up from his bed, not even stopping to grab his coat. With shaking hands he undid the chain from the door and undid the deadbolt. The hallways were dark and Stiles squinted to see. Water splashed around his feet as he moved in to the hallway.

"Derek?" Stiles rubbed at his eyes and looked up just as someone walked around the corner. They disappeared up the stairs.

"Derek!" Stiles hurried to the stairs and saw the door at the top close. He ran up the stairs, skipping stairs as he went. He had to throw his entire body weight against the door. The winds outside were so fierce and the sound so monstrous. Stiles shielded his face and squinted against the rain. He looked around. Where was the crew? No one was on deck.

A flash of lightning lit up the surface. Under the light Stiles was able to see someone slumped against the main mast.

"Derek?" Stiles trudged against the winds. He made it to the person and knelt down. He frowned, "Takahiro?"

Takahiro looked up at Stiles' voice. His face was pale and his eyes were wide. He looked absolutely terrified.

"I-I saw it. It's eyes," the man whimpered. Stiles could barely hear him.

"What are you talking about? Takahiro, Takahiro it's me," Stiles said, placing his hands gently on Takahiro's shoulders. The man winced and pulled away from Stiles.

"No! No! No!" Takahiro screeched. He covered his face with his hands and shrinking away from Stiles.

Stiles frowned, "Takahiro calm down. I'm not going to hurt you. It's Stiles—It's Ouji-sama."

"O-Ouji-sama?" Takahiro slowly looked back at Stiles. It was then that Stiles realized those were tears streaming down the dark-haired male's face and not rain. Takahiro lunged forward and clung to Stiles. It reminded Stiles of a child desperately holding on to a parent. Takahiro shook in Stiles' hold.

"Is it really you?"

Stiles nodded, "Of course it is. Who else would it be?"

"Si-Si-Sirens," Takahiro whispered.

"Sirens? Oh," Stiles swallowed. He didn't hear anything over the wind. Was it quieter earlier? Could Takahiro have heard the Siren's Song? But at least the man hadn't jumped off the railing in to the rolling ocean. Stiles glanced down at the rope around Takahiro's waist only to find it wasn't there.

He frowned, "Takahiro, where's your safety line?"

Suddenly, Takahiro reached out and grabbed roughly on to Stiles. He threw the prince around, pinning him against the mast.

"Takahiro—what—" His voice was cut off by a surprised sound as Takahiro pressed his lips against the skin of Stiles' throat. His mouth was hot against Stiles' wet flesh. The man's lips lavished at Stiles' neck and worked their way up.

"Takahiro, stop!" Stiles gasped. He tried to break free, but Takahiro's grip was too strong on him. Stiles closed his eyes tightly and pulled away as far as he could.

"Stiles?"

Stiles forced his eyes open.

"Derek?" His voice cracked, "Derek is that you?"

Lightning flashed and Stiles took in all of Derek's features. His mussed hair, now soaked by the rain, his sculpted cheekbones, the scruff of his beard, his non-threatening rabbit teeth. His brilliant eyes looked hurt and scared and Stiles felt his stomach twist uncomfortably.

Stiles reached out and cupped Derek's face in his palms. He swallowed and willed his voice to return to him.

"But how are you here?"

Derek nuzzled in to Stiles' touch and sighed contentedly. He put his hand against Stiles' and shook his head, "I was stowed away in the cargo hold. But I couldn't come out—I didn't want to get caught."

"Oh," Stiles exhaled and touched his forehead to Derek's, "I wanted to see you. I missed you so badly,"

"I know. I missed you too. Every night I dreamt of you—I couldn't get you out of my head. Not once did I ever stop thinking about you," Derek said. He moved his hand to sit under Stiles' chin.

"You don't know how long I've waited to do this," he breathed against Stiles' lips. Then they closed the infuriatingly long centimeters between them.

Stiles felt all of the tension and worry drain from his body. The warmth and feel of Derek's slightly chapped lips made Stiles lightheaded. His hands were hot against Stiles' skin and the sensation was driving him crazy. A fire burned inside of him and threatened to consume him whole. The smell of Derek, the feel of Derek, the taste of him—Stiles craved all of it. Too long had he been without it and now Stiles never wanted to be without it.

They broke apart only for a moment, their breaths labored. Stiles was dizzy and weak.

"Derek," he whispered, "I—"

"Ouji-sama!"

Stiles looked up sharply at the sound of his name. He blinked rapidly against the onslaught of rain.

"Takahiro?"

"Ouji-sama! Get away from that!" Takahiro yelled, running towards him.

Stiles frowned and turned to look back at Derek. His blood ran cold as he was looking at a woman's face. It had stringy, dirty hair and dark green eyes. Lightning flashes lit up the rows of sharp and serrated teeth that snarled and hissed at him.

"Siren," Stiles inhaled sharply. Fear overtook him and he scrambled to get away. The siren screeched and grabbed on to Stiles' ankle. He cried out but the sound was drowned out by the siren's scream. It recoiled as a throwing knife sank in to its palm. It shirked away and moved in an unnatural fashion to the railing. Stiles looked back up and gasped.

Derek was standing on the railing. He reached out for Stiles just as a wave crashed in to the side of the ship. The spray outlined Derek's form as the boat tipped.

"Derek!" Stiles yelled, bolting to his feet.

"Ouji-sama!"

Stiles grabbed on to Derek's hand just as the taller man fell over the side of the ship. The tumultuous ocean raced up to meet Stiles. Everything quieted as the sea grabbed him and pulled him down in to her deep embrace.

"Ouji-sama!" Takahiro shouted from the railing. His eyes scanned the water's surface. But even as lightning flashed overhead, he saw no sign of the royal.